Need to Change Your Tires? 4 Signs It's Time

Need to Change Your Tires? 4 Signs It's Time

Posted on November 29, 2018

We tend to take our car's tires for granted. Along with the
suspension, they help us get a soft ride. But how often do you check them? When
you're driving, your tires are the only contact between your car and the road,
and your safety depends on them, so they need to be in good condition.

Braking and cornering forces, and the general beating they get
from the road surface, puts tremendous stress on your tires. Worn or damaged
tires may not only be illegal, but they can also put your safety at risk.
Having a blowout is — at best — inconvenient and can leave you stranded by the
side of the road, but on a highway at high speed, it can be dangerous, too.

Checking your tires regularly will help you drive legal and safe. Here are four signs that it's time to
change them.

1. Depth of the Tread

The depth of the tread on your tires should be at least
one-sixteenth of an inch (1.6mm), but it is recommended that you don't let them
get that low. The more tread there is the better the tires perform, especially
on wet roads. Modern tires have wear indicator bars across sections of the
tread, which show when the tire needs to be replaced. However, using a 25 cent
coin will give you a rough guide to your tread depth. Place the quarter into
the tread grooves with caribou facing down. If the tip of his nose is covered,
your tires are OK.

2. Sidewall Damage

It's not just the tire tread that suffers from wear and tear. The
sidewall can get cut by scraping on the curb or from debris on the road. The
sidewall can also develop bulges or blisters which can be caused by driving
over curbs or potholes, or just by age. Where there is a bulge or a cut, the
rubber will be thinner creating a weak spot that could cause a blowout. Even if
the tread's good, the tire needs to be changed.

3. Excess Vibration

When you're driving, you will always experience some vibration,
usually from the road surface. But if you become aware of excess vibration from
the rear of your car or through the steering, your wheels may need balancing.
If your car also pulls to one side it could be an indication that your wheels
are out of alignment. This might cause uneven wear to your tires.

4. Tire Pressure

It is normal for tires to gradually lose pressure, even more so
when it's extremely cold. Losing pressure more quickly could be a sign of a
slow puncture or a leaking valve. You should check your tire pressure regularly
as under inflated tires will wear out on the outside of the tread. Over
inflation is not good, either, as that will wear out the center of the
tread. 

If you think your tires need replacing, or you want them checked
by an expert, head over to the service centre at Crosstown Chrysler Jeep Dodge
and they'll take care of it for you.